Bangalore, March 6, 2024 (CCBI): The CCBI concluded its strategic planning process with a gathering of 67 stakeholders, including the Secretaries of the CCBI Commissions, Directors of the Departments, and Coordinators of the Apostolates, at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore from March 4 to 6, 2024.
In the three days of the event, the participants engaged in a spiritual discernment process on the environmentally friendly, green campus of St. Peter’s Seminary. They meticulously reviewed and integrated suggestions and proposals gathered from 14 regions and 132 dioceses into the finalized CCBI strategic planning document.
Secretaries of the 16 commissions, coordinators of the 4 apostolates, and directors of the 7 departments, along with their respective stakeholders, diligently examined proposals from the regions and the dioceses. Relevant proposals were then incorporated into the final document, which underwent further refinement and approval through the spiritual conversation process during the workshop.
Throughout the strategic planning process, the CCBI conducted three national-level consultations, 14 regional level consultations, and consultations in 132 dioceses, engaging over 5500 stakeholders in the spiritual discernment process to shape the strategic plan document for the national Church.
Collective energy has emerged through this huge process, with nearly all dioceses hosting one-day workshops. The insights gathered during these workshops have assisted the national Secretaries in charting the direction for planning. Regional Deputy Secretaries, along with selected trainers, facilitated the sessions at the diocesan level.
The national core team will conduct a final review of the document in the presence of Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, the President of the CCBI, which will then be presented to the CCBI Executive Committee in May 2024. The Executive Committee, comprising bishops, will provide the final approval during their meeting scheduled for May 7 to 8, 2024, thereby concluding the document.
Additionally, the CCBI has developed strategies for the dissemination, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the proposals outlined in the strategic planning document through its commissions, departments, and apostolates.
“The CCBI strategic planning initiative builds upon the Synod proposals and the Bangkok Document 2022 of the FABC, with far-reaching impacts at the national, regional, and diocesan levels,” stated Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI.
Facilitating the process is Rev. Dr. Joseph Xavier, S.J., with Rev. Dr. Charles Leon serving as the national coordinator for the strategic plan of the CCBI.
During the three-day workshop, Sr. Lidwin Fernandes, the Executive Secretary to the CCBI Commission for Women, was honored in celebration of her silver jubilee of first profession. Re. Dr. Richard Britto, President of All India Rectors of Major Seminaries (ARMS) and the Rector of St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, extended heartfelt felicitations on behalf of the CCBI, while the Deputy Secretary General bestowed upon her a traditional Indian shawl as a token of appreciation.
By Catholic Connect Reporter